Nerve regeneration employing keratin biomaterials

Abstract

A keratin hydrogel matrix serves as an effective acellular scaffold for axonal regeneration and facilitates functional nerve recovery.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for promoting the growth of a nerve in a mammal, comprising:
 a support structure having an elongate opening formed therein and configured for placement around a damaged region of a nerve; and 
 a physiologically acceptable matrix composition in said opening, said matrix composition comprising acidic alpha keratose, wherein said acidic alpha keratose is produced by the process of separating acidic alpha keratose from basic alpha keratose. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said acidic alpha keratose is provided in a concentration from 0.01 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises alginate. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said matrix composition further comprises a nerve growth factor. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said nerve growth factor is provided in a concentration of 1-100 ng/mL of said matrix composition. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is formed from a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is formed from an inert polymeric material. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more electrodes operatively associated with said support structure. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises collagen. 
     
     
       10. A kit comprising:
 (a) a support structure having an elongate opening formed therein and configured for placement around a damaged region of a nerve; 
 (b) a container, wherein said support structure is packaged in said container sterile form; and 
 (c) a physiologically acceptable matrix composition, wherein said matrix composition is sterile, and wherein said matrix composition comprises acidic alpha keratose, wherein said acidic alpha keratose is produced by the process of separating acidic alpha keratose from basic alpha keratose. 
 
     
     
       11. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said matrix composition is packaged separately from said support structure, and wherein said matrix composition is provided in hydrated or dehydrated form. 
     
     
       12. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said matrix composition further comprises a nerve growth factor. 
     
     
       13. The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said nerve growth factor is provided in a concentration of 1-100 ng/mL of said matrix composition. 
     
     
       14. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said support structure is formed from a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
       15. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said support structure is formed from an inert polymeric material. 
     
     
       16. The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more electrodes operatively associated with said support structure. 
     
     
       17. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said acidic alpha keratose is provided in a concentration from 0.01 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. 
     
     
       18. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said support structure comprises collagen. 
     
     
       19. The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said support structure comprises alginate.